The man who enjoys giving his dangerous 'companion' kisses and cuddlesKnown as the 'Crocodile Man', Costa Rican animal lover 'Chito' swims, plays and even feeds 'Pocho' the giant crocodile in what is one of the world's most unlikely friendships.
Wading chest-deep through the green water in a 100 sq/m lake in Siquirres, this bizarre and dangerous spectacle draws tourists from around the world.
Calling quietly for his five metre long 'companion' before thrashing around, lifting his tail and head above the water.
'This is a very dangerous routine but Pocho is my friend and we have a good relationship,' says 52-year-old Chito. 'He will look me in the eye and he does not attack me.
'It is too dangerous for anyone else to come in the water. It is only ever the two of us.'
The bizarre friendship began nearly 20 years ago when Chito rescued the 980-pound crocodile after finding him close to death on the shore of the Parismina River, in the Caribbean province of Limsn.
Shot in the left eye by a cattle farmer after preying on a herd of cows, Chito enlisted the help of several friends to load the massive reptile into his boat, Naming him 'Pocho' (meaning strength), the fisherman says he healed the reptile with medicine, food, and, more importantly, lots of care and attention.
'When I found him in the river after he was dying so I put him in my boat and I brought him into my house,' recalls Chito.
'He was very skinny, weighing only around 150 pounds, so I gave him chicken and fish and medicine for six months to help him recover.'
sniphttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206872/Crocodile-crazy-The-man-enjoys-giving-dangerous-companion-cuddle.html[Clearly demonstrates normal people without a "get rich" agenda can have Love in their hearts for all creatures of this world!! Amazing story]